Estimating Adults Living with Intellectual Disabilities in America - Our Experts Look at the Numbers
路 3 min. read
A new study conducted by faculty researchers at the at 黑料正能量 shows the (ID) in adults.
But looking at childhood survey data of those with ID, conclusions can be drawn on how many adults have intellectual disability.
The study was conducted by , PhD, assistant professor in the , , PhD, assistant professor in IPPH and the Department of Health Management, Economics and Policy, , research associate in IPPH, and Michael McKee, PhD, associate professor at the University of Michigan.
The study estimates the number of adults living with ID is .95% or 9.5 per 1,000 adults between the ages of 21 and 41.
鈥淚ntellectual disability is diagnosed in childhood,鈥 said Benevides. 鈥淚t needs to be diagnosed early. It鈥檚 not something that just happens in adulthood. So relying on the estimate that鈥檚 from childhood surveys is a good start. It鈥檚 just aging estimates up based off the current population of the U.S. So I do feel pretty confident that we can base future projections off in the absence of better epidemiological evaluations of prevalence.鈥
She added it鈥檚 important to realize a lot of people with ID are now out of high school and age out of educational services to support them at the age of 21. They may fall through the cracks during the transition to adulthood and may not be receiving the services they need.
鈥淢any adults with ID are going to require services and support. They鈥檙e likely going to require housing support, employment support and many of them are food insecure,鈥 Benevides said. 鈥淚 think policymakers at both the state and federal level need to know about this because regardless of whether or not our policymakers support Medicaid expansion, many people with ID are also going to need adequate healthcare coverage because the vast majority of people with intellectual disability are not employed.鈥
Not just that, many of those with ID are more likely to experience disparities in housing, employment, education, poverty and more.
Biplab Datta and聽Teal Benevides
In Georgia, Benevides said there is a waitlist of 7,000 people looking for Medicaid services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and there鈥檚 just not enough resources available to assist those with ID.
Another concern is that people with ID have the same life span and those who may prove care, such as parents or guardians, don鈥檛 know what will happen to their older children with ID when they aren鈥檛 around or are unable to assist them.
鈥淲hat alarms me is we don鈥檛 have sufficient services and supports for adults. We just don鈥檛 have them,鈥 she said. 鈥淲hen people ask for services, support and resources, there鈥檚 no place to point them to unless they are children.鈥
, PhD,聽 is an assistant professor in Institute of Public and Preventive Health and in the Department of Population Health Sciences at 黑料正能量.
, PhD, OTR/L is an associate professor and the聽 Director of Faculty Development, Institute of Public and Preventive Health
Both experts are available to speak about this important research - simply click on either expert's icon to arrange an interview and time to talk today.
Biplab Datta, PhD
Assistant Professor, Institute of Public and Preventive Health and in the Department of Population Health Sciences
Dr. Datta鈥檚 research explores the niche areas in the junction of public health and economics.
Teal Benevides, PhD, OTR/L
Associate Professor & Director of Faculty Development, Institute of Public and Preventive Health
Teal Benevides has a passion for addressing disparities among those on the autism spectrum, including racial and ethnic minorities.